Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling for his immediate release and reaffirming demands for the repeal of the legislation.
Ganeskumar, also known by his stage name Hiphop Sangee, was arrested by Sri Lankan authorities this week after following an investigation into videos he uploaded after performing at a temple festival event in the Chavakachcheri area of Jaffna.
In a statement published on X, Shanakiyan said,
"We strongly condemn the arrest and detention of Tamil rapper Hiphop Sangee (Sangeethsan Ganeshkumar) under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)."
He noted that the National People's Power (NPP) government had came to office with the commitment to repeal the PTA and replace it with legislation compliant with democratic principles and international human rights standards.
"We therefore urge the government to honor this promise without delay," he said.
Shanakiyan further stated that the PTA "must be repealed and should not be used against artists, journalists, activists, or any individual exercising their fundamental freedoms."
"The arrest of Hiphop Sangee underscores the urgent need to end the use of this draconian law and uphold the rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens," he added.
Speaking to the media, Shanakiyan criticised the detention of the rapper, stating that a youth had been detained under the PTA in the Northern Province "for singing a song".
"A song, if they are scared of a song, this is very ridiculous," he said.
The parliamentarian argued that the song did not contain material associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"There is nothing in this song related to LTTE like that. It's a revolutionary song. He sang a song. For that, he's arrested under PTA and is detained."
Shanakiyan said the arrest showed the dangers posed by the PTA and warned that the legislation could affect anyone.
"This is why we voice against this PTA. Many don't join demonstrations against this law. This law can go against you too."
He further claimed that individuals could face arrest for playing revolutionary songs, including during Maaveerar Naal or Mullivaikkal remembrance events, even when such songs are not associated with the LTTE.
The MP also accused the NPP of hypocrisy, stating that revolutionary songs had been widely used during NPP's election campaigns.
"If they need people's vote, they will be in favour of Tamil people, and if other matters arise, they are arresting a youth for a song."
Drawing a comparison with other cases, Shanakiyan referred to reports of a Buddhist monk being granted bail after being produced before court over allegations of child sexual abuse.
He also criticised the lack of action against Batticaloa-based monk Ampitiye Sumanarathana, alleging that the monk had made violent statements against Tamils but remained free.
"Why is Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thero, a monk from Batticaloa, still living freely after saying he would cut down and kill every Tamil in Sri Lanka, and making threats to stab and cut Tamils? Yet a youth is arrested and detained for singing a revolutionary son"
"But arresting a youth for a revolutionary song is very terrible and we condemn it very strongly."
Shanakiyan said he would continue efforts to secure the rapper's release, noting that he had previously advocated for the release of other individuals detained under the PTA.
"We will use our voice for him too, just like we used it in the past for many others," he said.